TABLE 2.
Patient Characteristics Among MAT Recipients
| Baseline characteristic | 2017 initiators (n = 999) | 2018 initiators (n = 1,222) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, mean (± SD) | 57.3 (± 10.7) | 57.91 (± 9.8) | 0.16 |
| Age > 65 years, n (%) | 259 (25.9) | 300 (24.5) | 0.46 |
| Age in years, n (%) | |||
| 19-35 | 28 (2.8) | 22 (1.8) | 0.092 |
| 36-44 | 95 (9.5) | 105 (8.6) | |
| 45-54 | 249 (24.9) | 277 (22.7) | |
| 55-64 | 368 (36.8) | 518 (42.4) | |
| 65-74 | 210 (21.0) | 251 (20.5) | |
| 75-89 | 49 (4.9) | 49 (4.0) | |
| Sex, n (%) | |||
| Female | 515 (51.6) | 596 (48.8) | 0.19 |
| Male | 484 (48.4) | 626 (51.2) | |
| Region, n (%) | |||
| Northeast | 21 (2.1) | 33 (2.7) | 0.34 |
| Midwest | 173 (17.3) | 199 (16.3) | |
| South | 696 (69.7) | 832 (68.1) | |
| West | 109 (10.9) | 158 (12.9) | |
| Population density, n (%) | |||
| Urban | 601 (60.2) | 703 (57.5) | 0.07 |
| Suburban | 236 (23.6) | 347 (28.4) | |
| Rural | 136 (13.6) | 143 (11.7) | |
| Unknown | 26 (2.6) | 29 (2.4) | |
| Income, n (%) | |||
| LIS only | 145 (14.5) | 182 (14.89) | 0.04 |
| Dual eligibilitya and LIS | 440 (44.0) | 476 (38.95) | |
| Neither dual eligibility nor LIS | 414 (41.44) | 564 (46.15) | |
| General health care utilization in 6 months before MAT initiation, n (%) | |||
| ≥ 1 IP stay | 280 (28.0) | 340 (27.8) | 0.92 |
| ≥ 1 ED visit | 522 (52.3) | 630 (51.6) | 0.74 |
| Comorbidities assessed in 6 months before MAT initiation | |||
| RxRisk score, mean (± SD) | 7.89 (± 3.1) | 8.11 (± 3.1) | 0.10 |
| Elixhauser score, mean (± SD) | 3.76 (± 2.9) | 4.14 (± 3.2) | < 0.01 |
| Behavioral disorders identified in 6 months before MAT initiation, n (%) | |||
| OUD | 778 (77.9) | 888 (72.7) | < 0.01 |
| Mental or behavioral health disorder | 916 (91.7) | 1,127 (92.2) | 0.65 |
| Opioid dosage (daily MED) at time of MAT initiation, n (%) | |||
| ≤ 49 mg | 554 (55.5) | 580 (47.5) | < 0.01 |
| 50-89 mg | 205 (20.5) | 320 (26.2) | |
| 90-149 mg | 128 (12.8) | 176 (14.4) | |
| ≥ 150 mg | 112 (11.2) | 146 (11.9) | |
Note: The authors’ analysis of claims data is presented for individuals (aged 19-89 years) participating in a Humana MAPD plan in 2017 and/or 2018 who could be identified as opioid users and recipients of MAT for OUD. Analysis excludes individuals without continuous enrollment from 6 months before until 6 months after MAT initiation.
a Eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare.
ED = emergency department; IP = inpatient; LIS = low-income subsidy; MAPD = Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan; MAT = medication-assisted therapy; MED = morphine equivalent dose; OUD = opioid use disorder.